Last night I spent some time bringing the Kanaka Council up-to-date about the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT). I primarily gave them an overview, explaining that the TMT asked the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board to develop a procedure where funds could be administered for the benefit of educational programs for the people.

I explained that the HIEDB, of which I am vice-president, made clear that it would not be involved if there was insensitivity toward the Hawaiian culture.

We all need to know what is going on so we can make good decisions, and yesterday was the fourth time I have brought information to the Kanaka Council. By now we have a healthy respect for each other. I completely share many of their sentiments. I don’t think that we differ very much at all.

They are passionate and very articulate about the differences between Western culture and Hawaiian culture. It looks to me that they are the Keeper of the Flame. Someone needs to do it! I have enormous respect for all of them.

And, I have to say, I am very comfortable around them. I know that I can come and go as I please. And the feeling is mutual.

There was a very lively discussion yesterday and the temperature rose a few degrees. But after a little bit we realized we were not that far apart.

They asked me what it was exactly that I wanted. I told them nothing; I was just bringing them current information. Rocky Jensen said, laughingly, “You’re just the messenger, right?” I laughed and said, “I hope everybody knows that.” It was serious, but good fun at the same time. No sense being too tense for too long.

The first person I brought to the Kanaka Council was Dawn Chang of Kuiwalu, which is the group charged with doing Mauna Kea’s Comprehensive Plan. Judge Hara had ruled that this was required before any more construction could occur on Mauna Kea.

The Kanaka Council dismissed Kuiwalu as a hired gun of the University of Hawai‘i. To her credit, Dawn Chang was a real trooper. A weaker person might have dissolved in tears. From where I sat, it was great spectator sport.

Next I brought Gail Tverberg, the keynote speaker at a recent energy forum, to the Kanaka Council.
I brought her from the Hilo Hawaiian’s Moku Ola Room to the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center for the Kanaka Council to hear her presentation. I was very impressed that they all had been at an important County Council meeting, and came back at 2 p.m. to listen to Gail and then went back to the Council testimony.

They treated Gail, who is from Atlanta, like a kupuna. Gail’s message resonated: “Sooner or later the boat will not arrive.” Tonight they told me that Gail could fit right now into their community. I agree.

After that I arranged for them to meet with the president of the TMT, Dr. Yang. I was impressed with the passionate testimony several of them delivered in a very eloquent way. And I was really happy that Dr. Yang made the effort to meet with them. Dr. Yang wants to be hands-on, not operating from a distance. I think that meeting was very beneficial to both sides.

After I talked with them last night, someone came to plead for the Kanaka Council’s help regarding a neighbor on conservation land who was applying for a variance to zoning rules. The Council is going to evaluate the circumstances around that application. They are going down to walk the land tomorrow to see exactly what was being discussed.

They are doing a very important function. I was very impressed.